{"id":129672,"date":"2020-10-29T13:30:06","date_gmt":"2020-10-29T23:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=129672"},"modified":"2020-11-04T10:28:40","modified_gmt":"2020-11-04T20:28:40","slug":"hiff-films-by-students-alumni","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2020\/10\/29\/hiff-films-by-students-alumni\/","title":{"rendered":"HIFF<\/abbr> to feature films by students, alumni"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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Anne Misawa (center), a UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa ACM<\/abbr> associate professor and alumna, was the cinematographer for a new horror film, Story Game<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa Academy for Creative Media<\/a> (ACM<\/abbr>) will be featured at the 2020 Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> International Film Festival<\/a> (HIFF<\/abbr>), and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the virtual event will allow viewers to enjoy the films from the comfort of their homes. An ACM<\/abbr> professor and alumna\u2019s horror film, and an ACM<\/abbr> alumnus’ film about a young Hawaiian activist will also premiere at HIFF<\/abbr> to drive-in audiences.<\/p>\n

Student and alumni showcase<\/h2>\n
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Promotional image for Brown Bodies in a Far Sea<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Seven students and alumni will showcase their films in the UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa ACM<\/abbr> showcase, November 5–29. Joshua Co<\/strong>, a senior digital cinema major, will feature two films. Brown Bodies in a Far Sea<\/em><\/a> is about a young girl preparing to defend her home after hearing about an incoming hurricane and Ikaika<\/em><\/a> is about a middle school student finding more about who he is as his world around him is falling apart.<\/p>\n

“The intent behind these two films was to share the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> that I know, living in my little corner of it,” Co said. “Both films were extremely personal. Brown Bodies in a Far Sea<\/em> was shot in my family home and with that, I wanted to bring an art house style to an indigenous aesthetic. With Ikaika<\/em> I wanted to create a piece that felt like a distant memory, a piece that strung together little moments that evoke a sense of both loss and understanding.”<\/p>\n

Welcome to the Lanes<\/em><\/a>, directed by senior creative media major Briana Smith<\/strong>, is about a woman who runs a program for special needs young adults at Pali Lanes in Windward Oʻahu<\/span>. The inspiration for the film came after Smith stumbled upon an online article that focused on a grassroots campaign attempting to save the bowling alley from a difficult financial situation.<\/p>\n

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Promotional image for Welcome to the Lanes<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“I contacted the Save Pali Lanes committee and got to meet Rosemarie (also known as Ms. Rosie), the wonderful subject of my film,” Smith said. “After that, I visited her group, W.I.N.G.S.<\/abbr>, every Tuesday for about two months before shooting. I am a big proponent of personal narrative, so I’m very grateful that Rosemarie was so willing to share her story.”<\/p>\n

Pua Warriors<\/em><\/a>, directed by spring 2020 creative media graduate Sophia Whalen<\/strong>, is an animated action film about magical girls who need to prevent a sludge monster from destroying their town on Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Island. The film is set in Whalen\u2019s hometown of Kailua-Kona.<\/p>\n

“All the action happens on this very specific part of Aliʻi<\/span> Drive. There\u2019s Huliheʻe<\/span> Palace, Mokuaikaua Church, the sea wall, etc<\/abbr>.,” Whalen said. “It\u2019s not common for films to be set in this town and I want the people who live here to see their home on the screen.”<\/p>\n

More films<\/h2>\n